A long time ago when reddit wasn’t as noticably awful, I read a comment there pointing out that while women receive lots of questionably-motivated compliments from thirsty men, men themselves rarely receive compliments and even a passing one can change someone’s day. I’m a man and can confirm at least the second half of that.
Since then, I’ve done my best to flatter anyone - whether presenting as man or woman - who does anything that stands out (I try not to comment on something that wasn’t a conscious decision, like body parts). Loud shirt? Awesome! Unnaturally colored hair? I love it! Something that took effort, like a perm? You know I’m expressing my approval. Especially in a situation where I’m just passing by someone I’ll never see again and therefore (hopefully) obviously not trying to get something from them.
I like to think I’ve improved some people’s days with this policy. One of my favorite memories is of a situation where I demonstrably did so (I’ve actually referenced it on Lemmy before, a long time ago).
edit: Remove unneeded words.
Love this! Now do me😊
I don’t really know you well enough to say, but clearly you’re committed to the fediverse as an active participant. As a less active but very interested member of the same 'verse, I’m grateful for your contributions.
That moon is pretty cool. Makes me think of the Night Kitchen (childrens book). Iirc, Maurice Sendak was the illustrator as well as author.
Hey now, no stealing my thunder.
… Just kidding. I support improving the day of anyone you can. Supporting a choice they made, like a user icon, is a great way to do so; recognizing an obscure reference they made, even better (IMHO). You rock!
On a scale of the live broadcast of Peter Pan to Rocky Horror Picture Show, how broadly would Tim Curry be smiling if he saw you?
“You look smashing, darling.”
WWFMT?
And Freddy Mercury’s opinion would matter to me, because…?
Why would anyone else’s?
Because if people’s opinions didn’t matter to you, you wouldn’t be feeling insecure, and thus this post isn’t for you.
Someday, you too will be Freddie’s whore
